Great New Orleans Musician Dies At 83
Harold Battiste, the New Orleans-born composer, producer, arranger and musician who put his distinct stamp on the city’s music for several decades, died Friday after a lengthy illness, his son Harlis has confirmed. He was 83. Battiste founded the first African American musician-owned record label, All For One, better known as AFO Records, in 1961. The label became home briefly to many of New Orleans’ top players and singers including Dr. John, Lee Dorsey, Tami Lynn and Barbara George. The label’s biggest hit was George’s vibrant, gospel-inspired “I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More),” which reached No. 1 on the R&B charts and No. 3 on the pop charts.
